The Terra d’Oro SHR Vineyard is forty acres of hillside planted to 80% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah and 7% Barbera. This unique vineyard is laid out north to south with every seventh row being Petite Sirah, the thirteenth Barbera, and fourteenth Petite Sirah. The tractor rows run east to west so the grapes picked into the gondola are brought to the winery “blended.” Field blending is an ancient winemaking practice not widely used today. Historically many field blends were made up of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. Because Barbera’s soft tannin and higher acidity help balance the blend, it was substituted for Carignane.
The true magic of field blends is co-fermentation. The grapes are brought to the winery “blended,” then destemmed, and crushed into stainless steel tanks. During fermentation the yeast converts energy from sugar into alcohol and the alcohol breaks down the cell walls of the skins extracting flavor, color, and aromas. All of the molecules reacting together cause new flavors and aromas not typical to any of the three varietals. The fermenting tanks are pumped over daily and pressed into small American oak barrels (30% new) for 14 months of aging.
The 2007 Terra d’Oro SHR Field Blend Zinfandel presents a beautiful deep, dark color in the glass. With classic Amador spice notes, the nose is rich with ripe dark fruit with hints of clove, warm vanilla, and violet perfume. Bold and rich flavors fill the mouth with ripe wild berries and mocha; another great example of the complexity and unique flavors and aromas that can only come from field blending.
The long and warm finish makes this wine a perfect companion to braised lamb shank with mushrooms or roasted quail with polenta.
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